It is with heavy hearts we share that we lost our beloved and talented accompanist, Joan Hatley, last Friday after her courageous fight against breast cancer.
Joan was our rehearsal pianist and part of our artistic staff for over 18 years. She was a music teacher in the Tulsa area and a children’s choir conductor and pianist at Boston Avenue United Methodist Church. She had a Bachelor of Music in piano performance from the University of Oklahoma, where she studied with Dr. Edward Gates. She traveled to schools throughout Oklahoma as accompanist for Tulsa Opera’s educational programs and directed the music for nearly 50 Tulsa productions. Along with duo-partner Mary Sallee, she performed many recitals throughout the region of music for both one and two pianos.
“We will miss Joan immeasurably,” says Artistic Director Tim Sharp. “Joan was our collaborative pianist and accompanist for Tulsa Chorale for my entire tenure and was my “right and left hand” as we took on new score challenges from composers…We loved and admired you greatly, Joan.”
Please feel free to share your fond memories of Joan in the comments below. She was an incredibly talented and wonderful human being. We will miss her greatly!
We will share plans for her service when we have them.